We were lucky enough to be invited to try out the menu at Gusto, which is on the Quayside in Newcastle and any conversation that starts with ‘grab your coat sweetheart, we are having a date night’ makes me smile!
Since we don’t get to have many date nights we love to know that the venue is a little bit special and boy we weren’t disappointed when we turned up! We were greeted with aromas wafting from the downstairs kitchen as we ascended the staircase to our table, the table we were seated at gave us an excellent look out point over the Tyne, practically adjacent to the swing bridge (which we took our first stroll along after dinner!)
Our server came over and introduced herself with a smile and genuinely looked happy to be waiting on us for the evening (bonus points as we hate bad service!) She explained the specials for the evening but having already looked at the menu and settled on what we wanted to eat we went with our original choices (although I’m sure the 25oz steak or whole lobster would have been delicious!!)
For starters Stuart ordered the Creamed garlic mushrooms with grilled ciabatta and crispy shallots while I opted for the Mussles cooked with white wine, cream and garlic also served with grilled ciabatta.
Look at the size of those monsters!! Those of you who read my blog regularly will already know that I love seafood but more often than not it does not love me back! Stuart rolled his eyes when I ordered mussels and while eating them he just kept saying how I would regret it later! Well, I can safely say these were darn good mussels and THEY LOVED ME BACK! No upset tummy – nothing… there is now one place and one place alone I will eat seafood…thank you Gusto!
Having devoured our starters we expected quite a wait while our mains were prepared, I had ordered the Roast lamb rump with truffled cheese flavoured piccolo ravioli and tomato sauce while Stuart chose the Gusto Burger in a brioche bun with melted mozzarella and fries. I ordered a size of the courgette fries … they’re courgettes in batter whats not to love! We were in for a surprise though as our mains were served just minutes later – again bonus points for the service!
Stuart is becoming a bit of a burger aficionado so I knew we were hoping for a winner tonight since he had that look in his eye saying ‘bring it on’! He was silenced after the first bite and when finished, declared it the best burger he has ever eaten. His exact words were, ‘How a burger should be, not greasy in the slightest, plenty of flavour and well seasoned’ and apparently the sauce that was served with it was AMAZING!
Bravo Gusto you did it again!
The presentation of my lamb was first class and again cooked to perfection, I asked for pink but not too much and they outdid themselves with delicately flavoured slices which worked well against the truffled cheese parcels and tomato sauce. They tasted delicious as stand alone ingredients but when eaten together the flavours exploded!
Courgette fries – nuff said *be still my heart*
Knowing full well we were almost full to bursting we took a look at the dessert menu will all intentions of having something light. Turns out when you see something you want you just go for it – hubby went for the Bambolini – homemade mini donuts with orange chantilly and chocolate sauce – which he said would have been nicer had the donuts been sweet instead of more like dough balls (…he ate them all so he didn’t complain too loudly if you know what I mean!)
I went for the lighter option of the Almond Milk panacotta with honeycomb, flaked almonds and lemon curd. One word – MOREISH! This was a delicious combination of cream and almond with bursts from the red currants and lemon curd!
After dinner we sat back with a coffee and watched others dining on food that looked more and more delicious with each dish they brought out, we will most definitely be back and it was lovely to see lots of families dining too! At first we presumed it was more for couples but after reading the daytime menu we will be taking the children too, I know they will love the homemade pizza!
Since it was just the two of us and we were yet to walk the swing bridge we decided a selfie was in order to mark the night we escaped without the children! You can just see the pink of the sun setting behind us which finished off a fabulous night!
A beautiful night and Gusto comes highly recommended from both of us!
XOXO
Debbie
We were invited along for a complimentary meal, all opinions and views are our own.
The food looks absolutely delicious. For some reason I have never been to Gusto, even though there is one local to me.
Wow this food looks amazing , there is nothing better then a good meal out . Especially when it is child free !!
Ooh this looks lush! I remember eating at Gusto in Edinburgh about 4 years back and it was so, so good then. It’s so lovely to escape the kids for a bit and have some couple time isn’t it? And what a fab opportunity for you xxx